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Miller H Caldwell, click here
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What Can we do on Christmas day to avoid friction?
Make this Christmas Special in Your Home.
Christmas Freedom By Miller Caldwell
Late one November evening, the telephone rang at Joan’s home in Kirriemuir. It was her sister Lizzie, in Lenzie.
‘Hi Joan. Lizzie here. You’ll remember it’s our turn to invite you and Ian over for Christmas dinner with Dad. Well this year, I’ve an idea.’
‘Don’t tell me it’s going to be Boxing Day instead?’
‘No. December 25th Christmas Day as usual, but with a challenge. You see it’s been usual to arrive at each other’s home for a late morning coffee and we don’t eat till 6pm. It makes it a long day. Well with Dad getting older these days, I think he’ll probably have an afternoon nap. And of course, it’s no secret that Ian and Sandy don’t always see eye to eye on politics or football, so what I have in mind is reaching an agreement that between the hours of 2 pm -5 pm. Ian and Sandy make themselves scarce. They can do what they like between these hours but they are not allowed in the house. When they return they must bring some sort of evidence to show what they’ve been up to! Sandy is up for it. Do you think Ian will be a sport?’
Joan rang back two days later indicating that Ian had agreed to go along with the idea.
Over the following three weeks Ian and Sandy considered their options for three hours of freedom. Not a hint of their plans emerged except occasionally a false trail was planted about finding a bar open or looking up old girlfriends.
Then Christmas day dawned seasonally frosty when they congregated in Lenzie to share Christmas presents over morning coffee. Ian was delighted to receive a hand shredder indicating he would be able to shred all his old bank statements while Joan smiled at the thought of shredding expensive shopping receipts. Dad was pleased with his boxed handkerchiefs and bottle of single malt whisky. ‘One way or another’, he declared, ‘I’m well prepared for a winter cold!’
As the clock approached 2pm, Sandy and Ian left the comfort of the festive home. The sisters looked through the lounge window and saw them part at the road junction. Lizzie wondered if she had done right in organising this bizarre game. Could it cause ill feeling she wondered. Just how angry might they be on their return?
Light faded shortly after 3.30pm. By then Dad was indeed in the land of nod while Lizzie and Joan got to terms with the turkey and trimming preparations. The crackers were placed at the table settings by 5.30pm. Then the sisters sat down near the Christmas tree with a glass of red wine to reflect on their kitchen endeavours.
At precisely 6pm, Ian arrived back. He took off his coat and warmed himself by the open fire. Lizzie brought him a sherry. Before he had enjoyed a second sip, Sandy arrived. As Ian had arrived first, he was asked to explain his hours of Christmas freedom.
‘I’m no wise man but I thought it’s the unexpected gift that is always appreciated. That got me thinking. I went to the library at the end of last month and read about performing magic. I took three books on the subject home and practised until I was getting the illusions to appear convincing. Then I needed an audience. So I contacted the local nursing home and asked if I could perform on Christmas Day. I asked Madge Harvie, the matron, to confirm I had performed there this afternoon. Here’s her letter and I promise to show you a trick or two after our Christmas meal.’
A round of applause filled the air then Ian handed the floor over to Sandy. Strangely he went to the table and began resetting the places. Without a word he brought four more chairs to the table adding four more crackers.
‘We are having four guests to join us. I’m sure you won’t mind. I have been with them all afternoon. A taxi will arrive shortly. Sam and his wife Grace will be joining us with their children Mary and Comfort Nakunda. They have fled the evil regime of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and have sought asylum in Glasgow. I’ve brought extra presents. Let’s make it a very special evening for them.’
Tears filled Lizzie’s eyes. She hugged her husband. ‘Oh Sandy darling, bless you, how wonderful. And Ian, your audience is growing!’
Ends.
736 words
Miller Caldwell
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Peter Addo
What a great idea and what a surprise ending. Loved it.
Cynthia
M.Rose